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Abstract Background This study aimed to evaluate the effect of argon-based No-ozone Cold Plasma (NCP) on neuroblastoma cancer cell apoptosis. Methods Experiments were performed with SK-N-SH and HS 68. Cell cultures were treated with NCP for 1, 3, and 5 min. NCP was applied using three different strategies: direct NCP application to cell cultures, to only media, and to only cells. Evaluation of cell viability and the level of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) was performed. N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) was also used to antagonize intracellular ROS. Cleaved caspase 3, PARP, aquaporin (AQP) 3 and 8 were detected. Results NCP induced a gradual decrease in the SK-N-SH cell viability. In contrast, the viability of HS 68 cells did not change. SK-N-SH cells viability was reduced the most when the only media-NCP application strategy was employed. Intracellular ROS levels were significantly increased with time. Cleaved caspase 3 and PARP were increased at 6 h after NCP application. SK-N-SH cells remained viable with NAC after NCP application. AQP 3 and 8 were over-expressed in SK-N-SH cells. Conclusion These findings demonstrate the anti-cancer effect of NCP on neuroblastoma cells. NCP enhanced the selective apoptosis of neuroblastoma cells due to the increased intracellular ROS.

Objective: Gastrodia elata (GE), a natural treatment, is extensively used in traditional Korean medicine. The study's goal was to look into how GE affected obese mice that had been fed a high-starch diet (HSD). Methods: The C57BL/6 J mice used in this investigation were given HSD to make them obese. Gastrodia elata extract (GEE) was administered orally to the mice throughout the course of the next five weeks in doses of 100, 200, and 500 mg/kg. When the experiment was over, we measured the animals body weight, liver and fat weight, blood biochemical parameters, and gene expression that is related to obesity. Results: The overall body weight of animals was dramatically lowered via GEE oral treatment. In comparison to the HSD group, the serum and liver TG levels were considerably lower in the GEE-treated group. Additionally, regional fatty tissues and liver weight markedly dropped in the GEE-treated batch in comparison to the HSD batch. We observed considerably lower levels of PPAR-γ, C/EBP-α, and ChREBP mRNA expression level in the GEE-treated group in addition to lower levels of SREBP-1, ACC, and FAS protein expression. Conclusion: The studies show that GEE has anti-obesity advantages in the mouse model of obesity caused by HSD. Despite the fact that we utilized mice as a model for the experiment rather than people, who have different biochemical pathways, the finding has significant implications for how GEE generally functions.

Objective: This study aimed to assess how well Amomum villosum water extract (AVE) assisted overweight to moderately obese people in losing weight. Methods: Eighty participants were chosen at random for the AVE group or the placebo group for this experiment. Subjects were given two tablets of the test substance after their two consistent meals daily for 12 weeks. At the starting and completion of the experiment, measurements of body mass index (BMI), body weight, percent body fat, body fat mass, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), lean body mass, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), percent VAT (%), and percent SAT (%) were taken. Before and after the study, blood samples were obtained for safety laboratory parameters. Results: After taking the products for 12 weeks, the AVE group lost considerably more weight than the placebo group (-2.04 ± 3.04 kg vs −0.30 ± 2.88 kg, respectively; P

This study entailed the design and analysis of a 400 m class underwater glider operated by a bladder-type buoyancy engine. The underwater glider was designed for high-speed movement with a maximum velocity of 2 knots. The shape of the hull was designed to reduce water resistance using the Myring hull profile equation. The reliability was verified by performing simulations using resistance coefficients. The relationship between the control value of the ballast discharged from the buoyancy engine and the glider’s speed according to the path angle was analyzed. Further, the relationship between the optimal glide angle and the design control value of the ballast was derived, and the optimal glider speed was estimated accordingly. Based on the analysis results, a bladder-type buoyancy engine was developed, and the maximum speed of the tested underwater glider was measured via sea trials.

A navigation system is critical for the operation of autonomous vehicles. Various sensors must be used to build navigation systems. To fuse multiple sensors, a highly advanced filter algorithm is required. Navigation systems have difficulties in signal-degraded scenarios, where the navigation solution can be degraded by errors such as multipath and obscured signals. This paper proposes a navigation system using a technique to reject the outliers measured by sensors. The navigation system was designed to include sensor modeling, navigation filters, and outlier rejection. The sensors used in the navigation system are the accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, and global positioning system. Before the experiment, a navigation simulation was performed to evaluate the results and validate the proposed navigation algorithm. The results of the experiment verified that the navigation system, including outlier rejection, had less positional error than that of the general navigation system.

Since 2005, there have been no systematic reviews on the effects of multiple manual therapies, including muscle energy technique (MET), on the hamstrings. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to provide clinical evidence for the effectiveness of the MET on hamstring flexibility. We queried 10 electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, KISS, NDSL, KMBASE, KISTI, RISS, Dbpia, and OASIS) up to the end of March 2022. This study only included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the use of MET for the hamstring. The literature was organized using Endnote. Literature screening and data extraction were conducted by two researchers independently. The methodological quality of the included RCTs was evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool 1.0, and the meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4. In total, 949 patients from 19 RCTs were selected according to the inclusion criteria. During active knee extension tests, the efficacy between MET and other manipulations did not significantly differ. For sit and reach tests, MET groups had higher flexibility compared to stretching (MD = 1.69, 95% CI: 0.66 to 2.73, p = 0.001) and no treatment (MD = 2.02, 95% CI: 0.70 to 3.33, p = 0.003) groups. No significant differences were observed in the occurrence of adverse reactions. Overall, we found that MET is more efficacious for improving hamstring flexibility compared to stretching and having no treatment during sit and reach tests because it combines isometric contraction with stretching. Owing to clinical heterogeneity, uncertain risk of bias, and the small number of included studies, further high-quality studies should assess the effectiveness of MET.

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study is to examine the effect of particulate autogenous tooth graft removed with organic matter and type I collagen addition on bone regeneration and to validate the possibility of useful allograft material for jaw defects. Material and methods Autogenous tooth bone maker (Korean Dental Solution® KOREA) made particulate autogenous tooth not including organic matter. We used to the developed tooth grafts for experiment. Cell adhesion test with hemacytometer and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (Supra40 VP®, Carl Zeiss, Germany) analysis about the particulate autogenous tooth and type I collagen were performed. Rabbits were divided into three groups: bone graft with organic matter (OM) removing particulate autogenous tooth group, bone graft with OM removing particulate autogenous tooth and type I collagen group, and a control group. Bone grafting was performed in rabbit’s calvaria. The rabbits were sacrificed at different interval at 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks after bone grafting for the histopathologic observation and observed the effect of bone regeneration by SEM, H-E & Masson stains, osteocalcin IHC staining. Result In vitro cytopathological study showed affinity for cells, cell attachment pattern, and cell proliferation in the order of control group, OM-removed and collagen-treated group, OM-removed particulate autogenous tooth group. The results of the degree of mineralization were opposite to those of the previous cell experimental results, and the OM-removed group, OM-removed group and collagen-treated group were relatively higher than the control group. Histopathologic analysis showed that vascularization and neonatal bone formation were higher in particulate autogenous tooth group with removing OM and with addition of collagen than control group and group of OM removed only. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that osteocalcin (OSC) expression was not observed in the control group, but at 4 weeks groups, OSC expression was observed the OM removed and OM-removed-collagen-treated particulate autogenous tooth, and the degree of expression was somewhat stronger in group of the OM removed and collagen additionally treated particulate autogenous tooth. Conclusion Particles that do not contain organic matter, the saint tooth, was responsible for sufficient bone graft material through the role of space maintenance and bone conduction, and further improved bone formation ability through additional collagen treatment. Therefore, research on various extracellular substrates and autologous bone grafting materials is necessary, and through this, it is possible to lay the foundation for a new type of autologous bone grafting material with excellent academic and technical utility.

Background: The purpose of this article was to present a valid and reliable theoretical framework and method for the development of an integrated medical service model for the four major diseases. Methods: Methodologies for each process were presented based on three theoretical frameworks. The three theories were the double diamond process model, the Donabedian model, and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health model. Based on this, in the process of problem finding, a literature review, service user questionnaire, and interview methods were applied. For problem definition and solution, expert focus group interview and expert Delphi methods were applied. The subjects of the study were mainly selected from experts for each disease and users of medical services. For literature review, systematic literature review and subject range literature review were conducted, and for analysis, a meta-analysis was carried out. In the case of focus group interview and Delphi, the validity and reliability of domain derivation and sub-items were analyzed by applying the qualitative analysis method. Results: To develop an integrative medical service model, a theoretical framework and a systematic methodology were needed, and case studies were performed to prove its validity and reliability. This showed that the development of a medical service model needs to follow a scientific procedure. Conclusions: By introducing methodological approaches and procedures for the development of an integrated medical service model for the four major diseases, the researchers provided basic information on model development.

Background: Amomum villosum Lour., (Zingiberaceae) an herbaceous plant in the ginger family, has been used to treat various diseases. In a single-blind, randomized, crossover study, we assessed the postprandial blood insulin and blood glucose responses in healthy subjects (n = 40) after the Amomum villosum water extract (AVE) (5 g/person) or a placebo (5 g/person) consumption. Methods: During each treatment course, the healthy subject consumed a regular late afternoon meal, followed by fasting for 12 h, and arrived at the clinical study center the next morning. Blood insulin and blood glucose levels were assessed at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after AVE consumption. Between each treatment, the subjects accomplished one week of a washout period. Results: The AVE intake demonstrated a significant (67.26%) decline in postprandial blood glucose AUC0–120 min (incremental area under the curve from 0 to 120 min) versus the placebo (P = 0.011). Furthermore, AVE reduced postprandial blood insulin AUC0–120 min by 59.95% compared to the placebo group (P

This research describes effects of Si addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of the Al-Cr based alloys prepared manufactured using gas atomization and SPS (Spark Plasma Sintering) processes. The Al-Cr-Si bulks with high Cr and Si content were produced successfully using SPS sintering process without crack and obtained fully dense specimens close to nearly 100% T. D. (Theoretical Density). Microstructure of the as-atomized Al-Cr-Si alloys with high contents of Cr and Si was composed multi-phases with hard and thermally stable such as Al13Cr4Si4, AlCrSi, Al8Cr5 and Cr3Si intermetallic compounds. The average hardness values were 703 Hv for S5, 698 Hv for S10 and 824 Hv for S20 alloy. Enhancement of hardness value was resulted from the formation of the multi-intermetallic compound with hard and thermally stable and fine microstructure by the addition of high Cr and Si using rapid solidification and SPS process.

Before Chuna manual therapy (CMT), a manual therapy applied in Korean medicine, CMT spinal diagnosis using palpation or X-ray is performed. However, studies on the inter-rater concordance of CMT diagnostic methods, concordance among diagnostic methods, and standard CMT diagnostic methods are scarce. Moreover, no clinical studies have used artificial intelligence (AI) programs for X-ray image-based CMT diagnosis. Therefore, this study sought a feasible and standard CMT spinal diagnostic method and explored the clinical applicability of the CMT-AI program. One hundred participants were recruited, and the concordance within and among different diagnostic modalities was analyzed by dividing them into manual diagnosis (MD), X-ray image-based diagnosis (XRD) by experts and non-experts, and XRD using a CMT-AI program by non-experts. Regarding intra-group concordance, XRD by experts showed the highest concordance (used as a gold standard when comparing inter-group concordance), followed by XRD using the AI program, XRD by non-experts, and then MD. Comparing diagnostic results between the groups, concordance with the gold standard was the highest for XRD using the AI program, followed by XRD by non-experts, and MD. Therefore, XRD is a more reasonable CMT diagnostic method than MD. Furthermore, the clinical applicability of the CMT-AI program is high.

Background: Abdominal organ injuries are a rarely reported complication when deep acupuncture needling is applied to the abdomen. In order to ascertain the allowable needle insertion range (ANIR) of the abdomen region, we selected acupoint CV12, which is commonly used for treating gastric disease, and ANIR was measured with an ultrasound device. Method: Eighty-five healthy volunteers were recruited, of which 83 cases of ultrasound images were obtained. To investigate the prediction factor of ANIR, we also measured several anthropometric factors. Results: The average ANIR was 25.3 ± 10.2; generally, the ANIRs of females were thicker than those of males; and the liver was observed in 62.7% subjects’ ultrasound images. The non-observed group showed thicker ANIR and higher BMI than the liver-observed group. Conclusion: There are reliable variables that make it possible to predict the ANIR. It is advised to refer to anthropometric factors in needling acupoint CV12 to avoid complications with the acupuncture treatment. However, individual differences are not negligible when applying deep needling. Thus, if the risk is not judged before or during the procedure, practitioners could consider the patient’s ANIR on CV12 when applying acupuncture by examining the individual anatomical structures using ultrasound and considering internal organ positions to prevent adverse events due to acupuncture.

Background: Acupuncture is a relatively safe, commonly used âalternativeâ medical treatment for various symptoms. However, adverse effects can occur, including trauma, pneumothorax, and central-nervous-system injury. Our objective was to develop a reliable and practical procedure for ultrasound imaging of acupuncture points to improve safety during needling, and to acquire ultrasound images of several (44) acupuncture points, especially those in high-risk areas, according to an in-house standard operating procedure. Methods: We created the standard operating procedure for ultrasound imaging for acupuncture, and collected ultrasound images of acupuncture points in clinical trials. Results: Ultrasound images for 44 acupuncture points considered as high-risk points were collected from 85 healthy people who were classified by body-mass index, and high-quality, clear representative images of all 44 points were obtained. Conclusion: These baseline images could be helpful for understanding the anatomy under the skin at acupuncture points, which would allow for an enhanced safety and more accurate needling. Keywords: acupuncture methods, trauma, ultrasonography

We propose a magnetometer system fitted on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV, or drone) and a data-processing method for detecting metal antipersonnel landmines (M16) in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) in Korea, which is an undeveloped natural environment. The performance of the laser altimeter was improved so that the drone could fly at a low and stable altitude, even in a natural environment with dust and bushes, and a magnetometer was installed on a pendulum to minimize the effects of magnetic noise and vibration from the drone. At a flight altitude of 1 m, the criterion for M16 is 5 nT. Simple low-pass filtering eliminates magnetic swing noise due to pendulum motion, and the moving average method eliminates changes related to the heading of the magnetometer. Magnetic exploration was conducted in an actual mine-removal area near the DMZ in Korea, with nine magnetic anomalies of more than 5 nT detected and a variety of metallic substances found within a 1-m radius of each detection site. The proposed UAV-based landmine detection system is expected to reduce risk to detection personnel and shorten the landmine-detection period by providing accurate scientific information about the detection area prior to military landmine-detection efforts.

An underwater glider is an autonomous underwater vehicle that is propelled by changes in volume. Due to this propulsion method, it is possible to make observations with these devices continuously for 30–60 days. Of the gliders’ physical properties, the volume change has the greatest influence on the cruising speed. The speed can be increased by increasing the volume change, but this also increases the energy consumption. Therefore, the change in buoyancy is very important for the operation of underwater gliders. Hence, it is necessary to optimize the change in buoyancy. In this study, we describe a technique for optimizing the design of underwater gliders intended to operate in the East Sea of Korea using a combined buoyancy engine and thruster propulsion system. First, we carried out a simulation study to optimize the volume change of the buoyancy engine based on the average flow velocity distribution, water temperature, and vertical salinity distribution in the East Sea. Then, we used our simulations to predict the optimal change in volume of the underwater glider. Finally, we discuss the advantages of operating with thrusters in special environments under specific water temperature, salinity distribution, and ocean current conditions.

The objectives of this study were to summarize the curriculum, history, and clinical researches of Chuna in Korea and to ultimately introduce Chuna to Western medicine. Information about the history and insurance coverage of Chuna was collected from Chuna-related institutions and papers. Data on Chuna education in all 12 Korean medicine (KM) colleges in Korea were reconstructed based on previously published papers. All available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Chuna in clinical research were searched using seven Korean databases and six KM journals. As a result, during the modern Chuna era, one of the three periods of Chuna, which also include the traditional Chuna era and the suppressed Chuna era, Chuna developed considerably because of a solid Korean academic system, partial insurance coverage, and the establishment of a Chuna association in Korea. All of the KM colleges offered courses on Chuna-related subjects (CRSs); however, the total number of hours dedicated to lectures on CRSs was insufficient to master Chuna completely. Overall, 17 RCTs were reviewed. Of the 14 RCTs of Chuna in musculoskeletal diseases, six reported Chuna was more effective than a control condition, and another six RCTs proposed Chuna had the same effect as a control condition. One of these 14 RCTs made the comparison impossible because of unreported statistical difference; the last RCT reported Chuna was less effective than a control condition. In addition, three RCTs of Chuna in neurological diseases reported Chuna was superior to a control condition. In conclusion, Chuna was not included in the regular curriculum in KM colleges until the modern Chuna era; Chuna became more popular as the result of it being covered by Korean insurance carriers and after the establishment of a Chuna association. Meanwhile, the currently available evidence is insufficient to characterize the effectiveness of Chuna in musculoskeletal and neurological diseases.

Conventional and herbal drugs are frequently used together to treat many disorders. Samryungbaekchul-san (SRS, a herbal formula) and otilonium bromide (OB, an antispasmodic agent) are widely used to treat diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (D-IBS) in Eastern Asian countries. However, there have been no studies on the co-administration of SRS and OB. Therefore, we aimed to preliminarily assess the feasibility of SRS combined with OB for D-IBS treatment in a pilot double-blind, four-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial (RCT), including 80 patients diagnosed with D-IBS according to the Rome III criteria. The patients were randomly assigned to four treatment groups and were administered drugs for eight weeks after a two-week preparatory period. Follow-up was conducted four weeks after the administration period. The primary outcome was evaluated by using a global D-IBS symptom improvement score; no statistically significant difference was observed between the groups. However, multiple logistic regression analysis of primary outcome scores shows that SRS significantly improved D-IBS symptoms (p < 0.05). For secondary outcomes, better results were observed in the SRS + OB group, in terms of symptoms, including abdominal pain, discomfort, frequency of abdominal pain, and stool form than in OB alone or placebo groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the co-administration of SRS and OB might be an effective and safe strategy for the treatment of D-IBS. Large-scale RCTs are warranted to further confirm and clarify these findings.

An underwater glider equipped with a hydrophone observed the acoustic sounds of an earthquake that occurred on 15 November 2017 05:29:32 (UTC) in the Pohang area. The underwater glider observed the earthquake sounds after 19 s (05:29:51) at approximately 140 km from the Pohang epicenter. In order to distinguish the earthquake sound from the glider’s operation noise, the noise sources and Sound Pressure Level (SPL) of the underwater glider were analyzed and measured at laboratory tank and sea. The earthquake acoustic signal was distinguished from glider’s self-noises of fin, pumped Conductivity-Temperature-Depth profiler (CTD) and altimeter which exist over 100 Hz. The dominant frequencies of the earthquake acoustic signals due to the earthquake were 10 Hz. Frequencies at which the spectra had dropped 60 dB were 50 Hz. By analysis of time correlation with seismic waves detected by five seismic land stations and the earthquake acoustic signal, it is clearly shown that the seismic waves converted to Tertiary waves and then detected by the underwater glider. The results allow constraining the acoustic sound level of the earthquake and suggest that the glider provides an effective platform for enhancing the earth seismic observation systems and monitoring natural and anthropogenic ocean sounds.